iDrive Online Backup Review

ProsIDrive is a proven online backup provider with a rich set of tools to backup your files

ConsExpensive and out of date design

Bottom LineIDrive is trying to adapt to the 'new rules' of online backup, but they are not quite on par with the competition. That being said, IDrive has a great feature set like advanced backup and versioning.

Editor review

January 28, 2011(Updated: May 30, 2012)

Steven Johnson

Overall rating

9.0

Price and Value

8.0

Features

10.0

Backup Process

9.0

Restore Process

9.0

Easily take control of your online backup

Installation:
It is pretty easy to get started. The only issue I had with the installation was accidentally selecting the install for Mac instead of PC. If you make the wrong operating system it will make you sign up again to change the selection. This process can be confusing and should be fixed. But, if you make the right selection the first time, it will work out fine.

Configuration:
The software is better than other backup software in terms of functionality. I was simply relieved to see options like auto throttle, scheduled backup and more. A great design feature is that they simplify the backup and restore process. The opening tab is the selection for backup and there is an obvious tab for restoring which makes understanding the process easy for everyone.

The software allows the user to feel in control. For the most part it's not too technical. If you view the error log, for instance, it will read in a way that anyone can understand. So, if you take the time to figure out what you need, the software is a great tool.

Data Backup Process
IDrive’s backup is simple for users who have worked with folder hierarchy. It looks like Windows XP’s Windows Explorer or Mac’s Finder when you are browsing through documents. The only issue that some people may have would be trying to search for files. This process could be easier, but it’s still works well for me.

The options are great for backing up. They include scheduled backup, continuous backup, and backup now. In the options you can select daily, weekly or monthly backups with notifications on your computer or sent to your email when a backup has been started or if an error occurred.

Also, if you go into advanced settings there are more selections to make the backup run smoother. This is not the case for many other online backup applications.

Data Restore Process
Restoring files is just as easy as backing them up. It follows the same folder structure and allows for easy access. Depending on your Internet speed it can be fast or slow. Ours is pretty fast so there was not an issue.

One option that is really nice is the “Open IDrive Exporer” option in the tools menu. This lets you download a plugin from IDrive that enable a mode that looks just like a Windows Explorer window. This allows you to operate with an interface that is familiar looking like the rest of the your computer folders and files. Once installed and restarted, the plugin allows you to drag-and-drop files from your IDrive online backup to your computer.

Accessibility
when you go to their website, sign in and you will see your files. It’s really easy to retrieve your files online. The mobile apps are good. You can use your existing account to backup your phone’s Contacts or Photos. There is not a way to see other files from your computer or other devices. It’s good for backing up your phone but does little in terms of accessing your computer files from your phone.

File Versioning
IDrive handles file versioning very well. It’s done in a time line fashion. You can select up to 30 different forms of the same file. Or you can view your backed up files per backup by selecting “Timeline Restore”. This is helpful in determining at what time you backed up a file.

Conclusion
If your looking for more control over your backup and like knowing support is easily accessible then IDrive is a great choice. It’s better at functionality and setting control than it is at cloud storage or syncing.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Lots of user control
Easy to get started
Great performance
Easy to access online

Business Backup Plans

Support Options

Notable Features:

Very responsive tech support. Typically answer the phone on the first or second ring

Easy to use desktop client which works on Windows and Mac

Mobile apps for iPhone, iPad and Android

Scheduler, Auto-backup selection, Versioning, Incremental Versioning

SSL Data Encryption on Geo-Redundant Storage

Company Highlights:

IDrive is one of the best single user through small business backup companies out there. They provide simple software that is well-balanced with helpful features. They have great experience and customers recommended them highly.

IDrive Company Info:

IDrive online back services are offered by Pro Softnet Corporation which is a leading internet service provider. Started in 1995, Pro Softnet has provided customized internet features in the field of online backup, storage and remote access.

Headed by Raghu Kulkarni in Woodland Hills, California, this company has won many awards including PC World’s Editors Award in 2006 for providing the best online backup service. This award winning technology is being used in IDrive that provides reliable and secure back for all the files and folders. Extremely user friendly interface coupled with strong logging and scheduling mechanism makes this online backup solution a popular choice with average customers as well as Fortune 100 companies.

IDrive Plans:

IDrive has plans for individuals and business users:

IDrive Basic is ideal for individuals and families looking for securing up to 5GB of data that can include photographs, media files or documents in any other format. This plan is currently available for free.

IDrive Pro is recommended for individuals who want to have a large backup data space can pay just 4.95$/ month for secure 150 GB's data.

IDrive Pro Family Pack $14.95/month for 500 GB's of storage space and backup of up to 5 PC's

IDrive Pro Business is $9.95/month for 50 GB's on up to 100PCs

IDrive Online Backup Features:

Prominent features of IDrive services:

Schedule automated backup of all the critical data using a built-in timer

Faster backup of data after full initial backup by using incremental backups

File version for up to 30 latest file iterations makes it easier for the users to find historical file versions. Also the final version of data storage space is accounted for; historical data backup is free

You can even backup the data from the mapped drive

This backup service doesn't hamper the systems performance with features such as auto-pause for stopping and resuming backups when the system is not busy. An option is also provided to control the bandwidth usage

128 bit SSL encryption is used during data transfer and 256 AES encryption is used at storage site for enhanced safety. All users are provided with unique password key that is not stored anywhere on IDrive servers

IDrive Support:

For any help or query, the customer care executive can be contacted during the weekdays from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. by dialing (866) 748-0555.

Phone Support: Yes - Monday - Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST

Email Support: Yes

Ticket System: Yes

Live Support Chat: Yes 24/7

FAQ & Knowledge base: Yes

Video Tutorials: Yes

Feedback Form: Yes

Conclusion:

IDrive online backup tool with user friendly interface to get information on backed up data and storage logs is an extremely cost effective option for saving precious information that can be used by both Windows and Mac users.

Disclosure: Our hosting reviews, ratings and awards are not based on any incentives or commissions. We pay for all hosting. We are compensated by companies for some products we review. The compensation does not affect the outcome of the review. Each “Editor Review” was created by our editors. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed on here are our own.

Our mission: to be the most comprehensive Joomla hosting website available online. And, most importantly, to be valuable resource for those new to Joomla and the world of web hosting.

www.joomlahostingreviews.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Joomla! Project or Open Source Matters. The Joomla! name and logo is used under a limited license granted by Open Source Matters the trademark holder in the United States and other countries.